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Cruises to Anguilla

4 Reviews
Anguilla (Photo: Kristopher Kettner/Shutterstock)

About Anguilla

A spindly spoke in the archipelago surrounding St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla is a beach-lover's dream. Mile after mile of loamy, cream-white sand fringes this supine island, with tony resorts and high-end restaurants dotting the coastline. A relative newcomer on the cruise circuit, Anguilla is a terrific destination for beach- and resort-focused travelers, but cruise visitors looking for shopping, ziplines and jeep excursions might be left wanting.

If it all sounds a bit like nearby St. Barts, that's because Anguilla sparked to life in the years following the French island's emergence on the celebrity scene. They share a notable trait: Both islands are rocky and were unsuited for farming, which made for a hardscrabble existence, mostly devoid of the plantations that cropped up through most of the region. Like the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla remains a British overseas territory, but it probably owes a bit of its success to that Gallic neighbor, which provided inspiration for what a polished, swank beach destination could be. Because Anguilla took shape well after the initial arrival of tourists to the region, it escaped the mass development that coursed through most of the Caribbean in the 1960s and after.

Anguilla is a tender port and, for now, attracts only smaller ships (under 500 passengers). The island covers just 35 square miles but the population is less than 15,000, so you won't find yourself following in the footsteps of a bazillion other cruise visitors, much less fighting for your own patch of sand with the easygoing, exceedingly friendly Anguillians.

  • More about Anguilla

  • Why go to Anguilla?

  • Anguilla Cruise Port Facilities?

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Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn Pursuit rendering (Photo/Seabourn)

10 Night
Atlantic Sunrises

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Seabourn Quest
Seabourn Quest (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

30 Night
Central America, Panama Canal & Antillean Holiday

157 Reviews
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Seabourn Quest
Seabourn Quest (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

16 Night
Antillean Island Holiday

157 Reviews
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Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Ovation (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

14 Night
Antillean Treasure Holiday

64 Reviews
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25 Night
Captivating Antillean Treasures

64 Reviews
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21 Night
Antillean Treasures & Caribbean Sea

64 Reviews
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24 Night
Atlantic Sunrises To The Amazon Basin

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More about Anguilla

Why go to Anguilla?

Pros:

Possibly the Caribbean's finest collection of beaches, served with a side of fine dining.

Cons:

Scrubby, uninteresting landscape; limited activities beyond the sea and sand.

Bottom Line:

It's beach bum and foodie heaven and colorful island tours might leave you wanting more.

Anguilla Cruise Port Facilities?

Anguilla is a tender port, and you'll come ashore at Road Town, a small dock fronting a beach village known as Sandy Ground. Customs formalities are simple and straightforward.

Good to Know?

Like St. Barts, Anguilla draws A-list celebrities looking for upscale resorts packaging privacy and pampering. While many of them stay sequestered in their extravagant villas or by the resort pool, don't be surprised if you see Ellen DeGeneres, Paul McCartney and other Page Six types tooling around in a rental car in search of an under-the-radar lobster lunch.

Getting Around?

On Foot: While Anguilla is relatively flat and easy to navigate, there are few sidewalks and walking along dusty roads with little to no shade is no fun. If you want to explore on foot beyond Sandy Ground, get yourself to a long carpet of sand, like Rendezvous Bay or Shoal Bay, and enjoy a beach walk.

By Public Transportation: There is no public transportation connecting Sandy Ground with most beaches or sights.

By Taxi: Because of the limited services on Anguilla, taxis might be in short supply when you arrive. Budget $20 to $30 for a taxi for two to most points on the island; add $5 for each additional passenger. A two-hour island tour runs about $55.

By Rental Car: Since taxi fares can add up quickly, a rental car could be your best option if you want to really see the island. Be aware that you'll be driving on the left, and roads aren't always in great shape, but traffic is so light that these shouldn't be issues. There are few pedestrians along the roads, though goats do scamper about.

The supply of rental cars is limited, so you'll want to reserve a car in advance. Most vehicles will cost under $50 per day to rent. Andy's Rentals, Bryans Car Rental and Junie's Car Rental are among the options that provide online booking. You'll need to purchase an Anguilla driver's license, which is $25 for a three-month permit -- the rental car company will supply the paperwork and can process the application on the spot.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Anguilla is a dual-currency island, and ATMs give you the option of receiving cash in US dollars or Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollars. Menu prices are in U.S. currency, so there's little reason to opt for EC dollars. There are no ATMs at Sandy Ground (where your ship will be docked); you'll need to go 3 miles away into The Valley, Anguilla's main settlement, to find a bank with an ATM. Credit cards are accepted at most island restaurants. (For current currency conversion figures, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.)

Language?

English is the language of Anguilla.


Anguilla Cruise Reviews
Great stop with great beaches and beach restaurants. A great island, like the Caribbean probably was 40 years agoRead More
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Misty Morning
We rented a taxi from the port and got dropped off at the long beautiful beach there. It was one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen. Read More
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laurieha
This is a beautiful island. Great beaches and waters. We booked a tour through Calypso tours and the boat ride was awesome. Capt. Vince did a great job and were very knowledgeable. I would recommend them and will useRead More
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REO
Beautiful beaches!Read More
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NoVa Mimi

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